Manchester United insist season ticket change will make life 'easier' after complaints

Manchester United are empathetic toward concerns at changes to how fans enter Old Trafford on matchdays, which have been made to 'clamp down' on ticket touting.

The Manchester Evening News reported on Monday that some season ticket holders had been angered by changes to their season tickets. The new system for next season will see supporters use a live QR code in the club's app instead of downloading the ticket to an Apple/Google wallet.

The new QR code system - the digital code is not available until three hours before kick-off - was implemented as a trial for some fans for Sheffield United's visit to Old Trafford.

It will be used permanently from the start of the 2024/25 campaign. The live QR code regularly changes in the app and season tickets will be restricted to just one device.

ALSO READ: United make progress with Sancho and Greenwood exits

ALSO READ: Ten Hag won a battle against Ronaldo and a war to keep his job

The changes prevent season ticket holders from passing on their ticket to a family member or friend without cost if they cannot attend the game themselves. A United membership is required to accept a transferred season ticket and that costs a minimum of £20 per season.

The MEN contacted United to voice concerns and a club source said digital ticketing and unique QR codes 'help to clamp down on touting and fans being exploited by fellow fans'.

They pointed to last season's home match against Chelsea and said more than 5,000 tickets were purchased by bots and sold at inflated prices, meaning tickets 'didn't go into the hands of genuine fans' – something they believe the new digitised system will stop from happening again.

United have said digital ticketing 'makes it easier' for fans to use their tickets either by attending games or transferring to fellow fans, donating to the foundation or re-selling back to the club if they can't attend, which helps them reach the required games attended for the 15/19 rule.

The club source reiterated they understand some fans may not use smartphones - or the app - and in those cases, United can help them directly with a solution.

United made the decision to digitise their ticketing system in 2021/22, which meant fans were asked to download their season tickets to their mobile phones. Other Premier League teams have digitised their ticketing systems since then and United estimate it will be the norm in five years.

However, some local fans feel United are making it increasingly difficult for them to attend games and have accused the club of 'touting' themselves, as a forwarding membership (£20) is needed for someone to receive a season ticket from a holder who can't attend a fixture.

One fan described the changes as "unacceptable" and another said: "The harder they make it to pass a ticket in, the more fans that will pack their season tickets in."